Football Betting Strategy: Mastering the Match Odds Accumulator

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It's that time of year again. After a bit of a disappointing summer in Brazil, English football fans will be pleased to see the Premier League back in action. A 'match odds' accumulator bet is a great way to get involved in the tournament. However, the football accumulator can be a tricky beast - with so many matches to choose from and an array of different odds on offer, it can be hard to pick out the gems that leave you with a healthy profit at the end of the weekend.

Ensure Value

The first rule here is to ensure that you get the best value for money. Have a look through the different bookmakers and select the one that will obtain maximum return for your input. Make sure to look at the bonuses that are available too, as these could give you a bonus bet or two.

Once you've picked your bookie, think about form. Do your research - if a team is riding high at the top of the division and they are facing a team on a run of 10 winless games, then it may seem obvious, but backing the in-form team is generally the way to go. The prices will subsequently be much shorter, but as a punter it makes much more sense to bet regularly on short priced teams who are going to win. For example, if you're starting your accumulator with Winner Sports this weekend, it may be a good idea to start with a Chelsea win at 1/5 over Leicester, rather than backing Sunderland at 15/4 against Man Utd.

Limit Selections

Another key thing to remember is not to get carried away with too many selections. A 10-fold may lead to a windfall on some occasions, but it is wise to gradually increase the stake and stick to four-folds and five-folds. The money on the line may be greater, but so is the chance of taking the spoils.

For those who can't resist inflating the odds, then look to a draw instead. Backing a game to end in a stalemate is usually available at a very healthy price and can inflate the odds of an accumulator greatly. Go back to those stats and select a draw or two from the games available - this is a much stronger strategy than trying to add an extra four or so games to your accumulator. For example, a Crystal Palace v West Ham draw this weekend is available at a tempting 9/4 with Coral Sports, and a draw between Swansea and Burnley is available at 11/4 with William Hill Sports.

The key to winning with accumulators is to go with form and history and trust the stats. A strong stake of £5 or higher on a 5/1 four-fold will bring with it a much higher strike rate than a stab in the dark with £1 on a 10-fold. Manipulating the football accumulator betting market needs to be a steady pursuit and requires patience. However, once mastered, it is a method that can bring consistent and plentiful winnings.